Today is the big, big, big day. The day Effie has been waiting on for nearly a year now. Weeks and months she studied for exam after exam. She cut short on any fun activities, hardly slept and still kept on working hard. She needed to be one of the best. A thinking pattern she clearly got from her mother. You need to be the best, otherwise you are just another someone that no one will remember, and Effie wants to be remembered.
It came as a shock for her whole family, when she announced she wants to become an FBI agent. Her mother was furious. Told her she would never come so far. Would never be smart enough. She was supposed to marry a rich man, settle down and have children. But Effie never wanted to be like that. Effie wants to be her own boss. She doesn't need some man to give her a purpose in life. No. Effie Trinket is not someone's wife, just because she has a high family name. Not someone's trophy to win and brag about.
Her mother tried to talk her out of it, but Effie wouldn't let that happen. In less than a few days her bags were packed, her apartment empty and herself sitting on the next plane. She wanted to start her life in a new city. As far away from her family as possible, even though the thought of being so far away hurt. Effie doesn't want anyone to know her just because of her family. Doesn't want to be known for her Sister's model greatness or her mother's actor career. Effie will be known because of her own success. Because of the hard work she puts into things. Because of the sleepless night's she spends and the effort she makes to be one of the best.
The hard work paid off in the end. All the nights she spent being awake, her nose deep buried in a book to study, were worth it. Effie passed the exams without any problems at all. Now, it is time for the practical tests. That's why she is walking down the streets next to Portia, who is excitingly talking about her morning, laughing and smiling as her eye's brown eyes twinkle in the sun.
Portia is her best friend. They met only two days after Effie got here, at a party. Both of them had a great time, laughing and dancing in the crowd. Drinking shot after shot together and giggling when men tried to pick them up. Sadly, they forgot to exchange numbers. Effie was quite taken aback when she realises that she would most likely never see her again. She needed a friend and Portia would have been the perfect one. Which is why it was even more of a delight to see that Portia had the same dream job in mind.
The second Effie walked in class, the dark-skinned woman ran up and hugged her like it was the most natural thing to do so, while the other's looked at them with confused gazes. Since then, they have been inseparable. Together they studied and gossiped about all other people. Effie likes her I-don't-care-what-others-think personality. It is something she always had struggles with. Effie hates being hated or made fun of as well as not being taken seriously.
"Earth to Effie, are you still there?" her friend asks, ripping her out of thought. Portia laughs at her confused look. "You, my dear friend, really need to relax." Portia often tells her that. Another weakness of Effie but how can she help it? It's a big, big, big day.
Effie listens to her mindless chatter. She loves hearing about Portia's days. Truly, her friend could turn the worst days into something positive. She always finds something to be optimistic about.
Together they finally arrive at the entrance of the FBI building. They have to show their pass, a green card that shows they are still in training. In a matter of seconds they get through security and are on their way to the group meeting. Both stop in front of the glass door that leads into the big room on the other side.
Effie takes a look inside. There are rows and rows of black plastic chairs. People are already sitting but most of them are just randomly standing in groups all over the place. In the front is a small platform. In a few minutes Plutarch Heavensbee, training coordinator of the FBI, will hold his speech right there. Effie doesn't know exactly what he is going to say, but what she does know is that they will be assigned a new partner. Anxiously, she looks at the people again. Someone in there is going to be her new colleague.
"You know you are blocking the only entrance to that damn room, right?" a raspy voice calls behind of them. Portia and Effie step out of the way, but the man doesn't pass through. He stops right in front of Effie. He has dark blond hair falling to his chin. His suit is wrinkled and his shirt not buttoned up to the top.
"Sweetheart, the circus called for you. They want their clown back." He says and Effie gasps, narrowing her eyes.
"First of all, I am not your sweetheart. Second of all, I'll have you know you are utterly rude, Mister!" Effie says, pointing her finger at him.
The man doesn't seem to be phased by this in the slightest. "My bad, with that pink thing on your head and that cake on your face you could be mistaken by one." He pushes a strand of hair away from her name tag, clearly reading it. "Sweetheart." He says instead, winking at her before he steps into the room without another glance at her.
Effie is furious. How rude! Angrily she smooths out any wrinkles of her green suit and pets her pink hair. He better not have ruined her curls. Effie spent the whole morning taming her hair, curling it, putting makeup on and choosing her suit. Someone as ill-mannered as him isn't going to put her down that easy. That man obviously doesn't have any kind of fashion sense himself. He doesn't have any place to judge, at all.
"How do I look?" Effie says after a few finishing touches.
"Gorgeous. As always." Portia answers. She has the most genuine smile any person can have. Every time she does, her brown eyes sparkle a little and dimples are forming at the end of her mouth. "And me?"
"You look absolutely stunning." Effie beams, putting on a bright smile as well. They enter the room.
Most of the once standing people are now sitting. Effie and Portia see two empty chairs in the second row and decide to choose them because the back rows are too crowded anyways. It only takes a few more minutes before all the seats are taken and Mister Plutarch Heavensbee steps on the stage. The crowd grows quiet as he starts talking.
"Welcome, welcome. As you already know, you are the ones that passed the theory tests. After all, that's why you are sitting in this room and not searching for a new job this second." A few people chuckle and laugh. "But you are not out of the woods yet. You proved you're smarts and intelligence but now you must show us all your strength and stamina. Being an FBI agent is hard. It takes a lot of discipline and you have to be in shape to succeed."
Effie already knew that. In school she was really good in gym classes, if not one of the best. But hearing how important it really is makes her a little nervous. It's not that Effie is anywhere near out of shape. No. Effie does work out every now and then and she watches her diet carefully. The thing that scares her is that she has no experience in fighting whatsoever. She has to learn quick or be really smart about it. She can't fail now. Not after all the work she put in this dream of hers.
"Today, you will be assigned to your new partner. They are already experienced, some of them have been working here for more than a decade. Your partner will look at your skills, what you already can and can't do. They will focus on your weakness and decide after a period of time, if you are ready or not for this job." Plutarch continuous. Someone brings a bowl to the podium and he walks right to it. "Since we do not want to spend too much time to plan who gets who as a partner, it will be completely random. All of you will be called up the stage to pick at random. After, you will sit together until everyone has their partner and then you will already start working. What else to say? May the odds be ever in your favour."
Effie and Portia whisper back and forth to each other while names are called on stage. Especially about a dark-skinned man with short hair and golden eyeliner. His suit looks comfortable but still like business. He does seem very nice and Effie has to say, he has a great fashion sense too. They both try to act as calm as possible even though they can't deny the nervousness. Effie's leg is bouncing and Portia picks at her black braids every few minutes. They clap and cheer when a someone picks their new partner, and their team number is announced.
Her friend gets called up first. Effie wishes her luck and squeezes her hand one last time before Portia walks up the stage. She looks beautiful up there, her white blouse and knee long black skirt favour every one of her curves. Portia doesn't think twice. She buries her hand in the bowl and grips one of the papers before she pulls her hand back and unfold the paper. She reads the name and waits.
Effie decides that Portia is the luckiest woman in the whole world. The man with the golden eyeliner steps forward and walks to the stage. His name is Cinna. He makes a great show in kissing Portia's hand instead of shaking it like the other pairs did. When Portia's eyes finally land on hers again, Effie gives a thumbs up. Her friend beams from head to toe.
There are another few names before Effie gets called on stage. She stands up and soothes her suit one last time. As graceful as possible she climbs the stage and places herself next to the bowl. Effie takes on last breath before lowering her hand in the bowl. With two perfectly manicured fingers she picks one of the papers and brings her hand back up. She unfolds the piece of paper and the first thing she notices is that it is a rather strange but still beautiful name. Curious on who it belongs to Effie reads out the name.
"Haymitch Abernathy."
The crowd is strangely quiet compared to the other times someone read out a name. Effie swears you could hear a needle drop in the whole room. Her heart pounds into her ears. She looks around the room for any sort of movement and then there it is. Somewhere in the back someone grumbles and steps forward, pushing himself through others. Effie's heart drops. She is sure her smile faltered for at least a whole second.
It's the rude man who previously insulted her on the way in. Effie tries to act all happy and ready but on the inside she is dying a little bit. That's just her luck. Grumbling, the man, Haymitch, walks toward her. Behind him there are people whispering and a few are even downright chuckling in amusement. Effie is very uncomfortable and the thought of other people noticing is horrifying her. She looks for Portia's eyes but even her friend has to hold in the urge to laugh. She gives Effie a sympathetic smile though.
Effie focuses back on Haymitch. He now stands right in front of her. He could be handsome, Effie notes. He has a lot of potential and she is sure if he weren't so rude, maybe she would actually be glad she picked him. He has striking grey eyes. They look stormy. He seems rough but Effie likes that sort of thing. Another reason why she didn't want to get married to some rich old man like mother wanted her too.
"Well, if it isn't you lucky day, princess." He smirks and of course he doesn't shake her hand. That man doesn't have manners at all! Effie gives him a glare. The new pet name is even worse, but she doesn't say anything. Eyes bright, chins up, smiles on. Just like her mother taught her.
"Team 12." Plutarch announces. "Haymitch Abernathy and Effie Trinket." The crowd claps and cheers once again.
Haymitch doesn't say anything, he just turns around and walks down the stage again. Effie doesn't know what to do so she follows him as quickly as her heels allow it. He doesn't slow down or look behind if she is catching up. Effie would love to talk to Portia, but Haymitch passes them and walks to the very back of the room. She follows annoyed.
Haymitch finally stops next to another man. A friend probably because both start talking instantly. The other man, she decides, is just as ill-mannered as Haymitch. He looks her up and down and it is so obvious how he undresses her with his eyes, it hurts.
"You know it is rude to stare." Effie snaps at his friend, one hand on her hip.
"My bad, love." The man says and she rolls her eyes. Of course he had to use pet names too. "Chaff." He adds, stretching one hand out. Effie shakes it warily.
"At least someone who knows how to shake hands." Effie answers, putting on a big grin. Haymitch doesn't react to this at all. "So," she says and turns in his direction. "Should I tell you what I am able to do and what are my weaknesses now or when this is over? I have stamina but no fighting experience." Effie goes on but Haymitch shushes her.
"No need to start babbling. Do you always have such an annoying voice?" He frowns, touching his forehead. She glares daggers at him. "Geez, relax. Loosen your corset, have a drink. I'll ask if I want to know something."
Effie purses her lips and narrows her eyes but decides to stay quiet. She looks around the room, already seeing the other teams discussing things and having conversations, while she just stands there. She can't help but growing a little worried. Most of the others already know punches and kicks. If Haymitch can't teach her, she will most likely fail. She can't afford to fail. How embarrassing would that be? She would have to find a completely new job. Mother and Father told her from the beginning she wasn't going to make it. She can't give them the satisfaction of being right.
At one point Chaff's name gets picked and he walks to his new partner. While he walks to the stage Effie notices he is missing his left hand. Haymitch and Effie stand awkwardly next to each other until the picking process is finished. Everyone is lead out of the room. She stays at Haymitch's site while they walk to the training hall.
Effie doesn't care how big her hatred for this man is. How rude and insufferable he acts. He is her only chance to get through the training part. Effie needs to work even harder than ever before. She needs to show Haymitch she isn't just a pink headed clown. She will teach him to respect her and right now that means not backing off. Haymitch will not get rid of her. He can certainly try but he won't succeed. Not without a fight at least.
Effie Trinket never goes down without a fight.